Picked up an LJ20V

[erik the red]

Ok....finally in the game!! This showed up in my driveway yesterday; a 1972 Suzuki LJ20V.

It's got some serious rust in the driver's rocker panel

and both fender flares are rusty as well.

The inside tub needs to be cleaned and evaluated for rust...

some there for sure but not sure quite how badly rusted through. Battery "compartment" is completely rusted through. Currently the battery is wired up in a box under the passenger seat. (RHD)

 


Someone in Alaska owned it, and put on a STOUT homebrew Dozer bumper cut to fit. Suspension looks rough...springs have negative curve. It isn't currently running....PO was uninformed about the oil injection system and fed the motor mixed gas. Probably fouled the plugs, not to mention goobered up the carb. Came with a box O' spare parts....water pump, carb, radiator and most of an engine rebuild kit. Got a screamin' deal on it, AND the PO loaded it up on a trailer and dropped the LJ off in my driveway!!!! 

Lookin' forward to a resto. project with the kids! Let me know what you think. Any tips/advice with the body and engine work are much appreciated, and I am super stoked to finally be a part of the LJ craze! 

 

[ecoast]

cool-- nice save!

she's 40 years old !

 

[buckhornbob]

NICE.

 

[Warpig]

Nice find!

 

[suboricua]

That is nice! 

 

[erik the red]

Right on, thanks guys.  8)

 

[lhess]

How is the restore coming? Also wondering, are the inner rear fenderwells available anywhere to purchase?

 

[erik the red]

How is the restore coming? Also wondering, are the inner rear fenderwells available anywhere to purchase?

Things are going well, thanks for asking. Currently she's in the garage on stands; the axles are out and prepped for a knuckle rebuild. I have swapped in a set of Samurai springs and TT shackles. The turn signal assembly was broken, so I swapped in another one. I've sanded down and painted the gas tank as well as removed the door and interior paneling to prepare for a new piece of glass (only 1 of 2 NOS pieces of glass for LJ20's left in the world!!!!) Next up, re-install the gas tank and figure out if I am getting fuel to the carb. Gettin' close to actually firing her up for the first time in several years.

As for fenderwells...I highly doubt that any are available anymore unless you buy a parts rig. Once I get her running, I plan on having someone cut and weld new fenders and a new floor.

 

[erik the red]

More pics...

 

[erik the red]

Couple more...

 

[TONY ZUKINI]

This Suzuki is the definition of COOL  8) 
Sweet Action man! Great buy

 

[erik the red]

Been a while since I've had a chance to work on her. Finally got around to pulling out the engine to take a look at it. Wow are these things tiny! 

I've got some carbon and oil to clean off the pistons.

 

[erik the red]

Here is the engine bay feeling spacious
I pulled the engine initially to look at the transmission. I had a hunch that the previous owner did not assemble the transmission correctly by making sure that the transmission input shaft oil seal was in place. (It wasn't). Glad I looked! While it's out I may as well clean her up and install new gaskets.

Starting the knuckle rebuild at the same time...Got the inner axle oil seal and kingpin bearing races installed. Those were a bit of a pain, but not TOO bad.

 

[Diesel_Zuk]

Good to see some progress!!

 

[beekiller]

Good to see some progress!!

x2!  Thanks for sharing your build.  This is interesting. 

 

[erik the red]

Thanks guys. Switching gears while waiting for king pin shims. Worked on the cylinder head..cleaned both up and swapped the cleaner one in.
Moved to the cylinder block and cleaned the surfaces. Next was the water pump assembly.  Picked the best looking one and cleaned, added a new gasket and reassembled. Also threw a coat of paint on the pulley.

 

[Cobracat]

That's a cool rig

 

[erik the red]

Reassembled.

 

[erik the red]

Started cleaning the reed valves and carb.

 

[erik the red]

Carb and reed valves cleaned, new gaskets applied and bolted back up.